Nicholls upbeat over Kauto fitness

Friday 2 March 2012 14:50 BST

Kauto Star

Trainer Paul Nicholls insists Kauto Star still has "a great chance" of running in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16.

The legendary 12-year-old, twice a winner of the Gold Cup, was on Thursday reported as 50-50 for the highlight of the Festival after suffering a bad fall when schooling under Ruby Walsh last Friday. Although his participation remains in the balance, Nicholls is hopeful he can confirm his well-being within the next fortnight.

He told Sky Sports News on Friday morning: "This morning he's having physio. He's going to canter as normal today and we're hoping we can get him there, but there's just a chance we might not. He's just a little stiff. You get a little older and take a little knock and it just takes a little bit to get over it."

Nicholls went on: "If you trotted him out today and paraded him you'd not think there was anything wrong. But the the situation with him is that he needs to be at his very best to run. It's getting better each day so we're still hopeful - we've still got a fortnight.

"The big day will be a week Saturday when he does his last strong piece of work before the Gold Cup. He needs to thrill Clifford (Baker, Nicholls' head lad) We've still got a great chance."

The handler added on Radio 5 Live: "He's never fallen in his life schooling, but he just made an error and fell. A lot can change in a fortnight, but we're going to do our very, very best to get everything right for him.

"If he goes the right way and gives us the right signs, then we can go (to Cheltenham) - but we're not going to take any risks. If he's not in top form then he won't run.

"Up until the incident he had been in amazing form - he looks great - and we were very confident we'd go there with a big chance. We'll keep everyone informed over the next fortnight as to where we are and what we are thinking. Whatever's best for Kauto is in the forefront of our minds."